What is the National Childcare Register (LRK) and why does it exist?
The National Childcare Register (LRK) is the official database where every legal childcare location in the Netherlands is required to be registered. It serves as verification for daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf/KDV), after-school care (BSO), and childminders: if a location isn't listed, it's officially not allowed to care for children. The register has existed since 2005 and is managed by the National Service for Infrastructure and Environment (Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO). Its purpose is transparency: parents must be able to check whether a childcare provider meets legal requirements, and this way the government maintains oversight of who cares for children and under what conditions.
For you as a parent, the LRK removes doubts. You can verify yourself whether a daycare center, after-school care, or childminder is registered, what ages they accept, and whether recent inspection reports are available. That saves unpleasant surprises later on.
What is the difference between a holder and a location in the LRK?
This difference is more important than it seems. The holder is the legal entity or business responsible for the childcare. This could be a large chain, a small foundation, or an independent childminder agency. The location is the physical address where the childcare takes place. One holder can operate multiple locations.
Why does this matter? Because inspections and complaints often run per location, while policy decisions (such as rate changes or pedagogical direction changes) lie with the holder. If you have a problem with group size at a specific location, you focus on that location's inspection report. But if you have questions about overall quality or financial stability, the holder is the appropriate contact. During a tour, it's worth asking who the holder is and how communication between the location and head office works.
How to check whether a childcare provider is registered before you enroll
Enrolling with a childcare provider that isn't (fully) registered can affect your childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) and your child's safety. So it's always smart to check this.
Where to find the LRK number and what to check
Every registered location has a unique LRK number, usually listed on the website or in the parent information pack. You can find the register at landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl. Enter the number or the name of the childcare provider and check whether the status shows 'registered'. Also pay attention to the registration type: daycare center, after-school care, childminder care, or preschool/toddler care. Sometimes a location is registered, but not for the type of care you're looking for. Additionally, check whether the number of childcare places matches what the provider communicates themselves. A discrepancy could indicate a recent change that hasn't been processed yet, or an invalid expansion.
Red flags with unregistered or partially registered childcare
A childcare provider that cannot or will not provide an LRK number is an immediate reason for suspicion. The same applies if the number cannot be found in the register, or if the status shows 'not registered' or 'terminated'. Some childcare locations are partially registered: for example, registered for preschool/toddler care but not for daycare for babies. This means they cannot receive benefit for that unregistered target group and also don't undergo Municipal Health Service (GGD) inspections. Another red flag is a recent change in holder without clear communication to parents. This could indicate a takeover or financial problems.
What does registration mean for your childcare benefit?
The Tax and Customs Administration links directly to the LRK. Only if a location is listed in the register with the correct registration type and correct number of hours do you qualify for childcare benefit. This means that with an unregistered provider, you pay the full costs yourself, without any reimbursement. Even if a provider is registered but their hourly rate is higher than the maximum hourly price set by the government (€11.23 for daycare, €9.98 for after-school care, €8.49 for childminder care in 2026), you pay the difference yourself. The LRK lists the registered hourly rate, so you can calculate your costs in advance. Note: some childcare organizations use different rates for different contract types. Check whether the rate you pay matches what's in the register.
How the GGD link works and why it matters for safety
Every registered location in the LRK is linked to a Municipal Health Service (GGD) that conducts annual inspections. These inspections cover pedagogical quality, safety, staff qualifications, the staff-child ratio, and compliance with the Childcare Quality Requirements Act (Wet IKK). The outcomes are made public and can be found through the LRK. This means that as a parent, you can see whether a location meets requirements, where they fell short in the past, and how they responded.
This link only works if the location is correctly registered. An unregistered provider falls outside GGD supervision. No inspections take place, there's no check on Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) requirements or the Childcare Personnel Register, and in case of incidents you have no formal care pathway through the municipality or GGD. In short: the LRK is not just an administrative system, but the gatekeeper of the entire quality and safety framework for childcare in the Netherlands.
Get started
Before making your final choice, note down your top three childcare locations and check each LRK number at landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl. Compare the registered hourly rates with your benefit calculation and read through the last two GGD reports. Want to speed up this process? At Kiddie.nl you'll find overviews of registered childcare with direct links to inspection reports, so you don't have to search between different sources yourself.